Manx delegation head to world's largest Celtic cultural festival

Manx musicians, dancers, artists, filmmakers and cultural ambassadors will represent the Isle of Man at the world's largest celebration of Celtic culture this week.
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient begins on Friday (31 July) in Brittany and will run until 9 August.

More than 5,000 performers will take part in the annual 10-day event; a Manx contingent has travelled to be in attendance for more than 40 years.

This year's Manx musical line-up features folk supergroup Mec Lir, Manx-Breton collaborative group Neear Nesañ, folk ensemble An Corran, electronic music project Çheumooie, traditional musicians Beccy Hurst and Alasdair Paul, and the Manx dance group Ny Manninee.

The Isle of Man will also be represented in the Interceltic Music Project which brings together young musicians from across the Celtic nations for a two-week residency and performance programme during the festival. 

Arabella Ayen and Jack McLean have been selected to take part.

Representing the Island in the visual arts programme will be artist Lisa Lennon whose work will feature in the Euroceltic Art Exhibition.

Two Manx short films have also been selected for screening at CinéFIL - the festival's film programme.

Yn Shenn Dooinney as ny Ferrishyn (The Old Man and the Fairies), a stop-motion retelling of a traditional Manx folktale by Lily-Joy Lancashire, and Yn Arbyl, a short film by Maeve Callister-Wafer exploring the landscape and cultural significance of Niarbyl were both created with support from Culture Vannin as part of Blein ny Gaelgey 2026 (the Year of the Manx Language).

In addition an Isle of Man Pavilion will once again provide a hub for Manx culture throughout the festival with eight volunteers attending as cultural ambassadors in the shared Celtic area. 

Their participation has been made possible through support from Visit Isle of Man, Island Escapes, and funding from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's Manx Community Assistance Scheme.

Grainney Sheard, Festival Delegate for the Isle of Man, said: "This year's delegation demonstrates the breadth and talent of contemporary Manx culture, from music and dance to film, visual arts, language and heritage.

"The festival creates an important opportunity for cultural exchange and artistic collaboration, while providing an international platform to celebrate Manx culture and introduce new audiences to the Isle of Man."

You can find the full festival programme HERE.